The identity of the Sydney man remains a mystery nine years after his death
When Andy died in central Sydney nine years ago, his pockets contained only $80 in cash, chocolate wrappers, a small Bible and a phone number given by a resident in case he needed help.
Andy, a homeless man in his 30s or 40s, had lived in Cadi Park, Pyrmont, for at least seven years. He kept his belongings in the bushes and took shelter in the entrance of a real estate agency overnight.
Police have released a computer generated image of Andy dying in a park in Pyrmont.Credit: Australian Federal Police
Although he befriended various residents who gave him food and clothing, attempts to associate him with community services never seemed to work. Andy would speak to the service providers, but he didn’t accept their help.
Local residents described Andy as quiet, polite and shy. He seemed to spend most of his time sitting on a bench by the water and watching the boats go by.
Nine years after his death in Cadi Park on the morning of August 28, 2014, police have launched a renewed appeal to uncover Andy’s identity. A local resident saw him lying face down and not responding. An ambulance was called, but could not be revived.
An autopsy revealed Andy had acute bronchitis and deep vein thrombosis in one of his legs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism. During an inquest in November 2015, Assistant Medical Examiner Elaine Truscott determined that Andy had died of natural causes.
“It appears Andy was estranged from his family of birth for a significant portion of his adult life,” Truscott said at the time.
Extensive efforts were made by police to identify him, including attempting to check his DNA and fingerprints against all known databases in Australia and New Zealand.
He had several distinctive tattoos: the letters HATE on his left knuckles, a demon on his left arm with the words “Search and Destroy” and “Death to the World” on it, and a Viking on his right arm.
